Railing constructions and parts therefor or the like



April 1966 J. 5. CASE ETAL 3,246,879

RAILING CONSTRUCTIONS AND PARTS THEREFOR OR THE LIKE Filed Sept. 14, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS JOHN S. CASE JAMES E. BELCHERJR fln-w 1 if THEIR ATTORNEYS A ril 19, 1966 J. s. CASE ETAL RAILING CONSTRUCTIONS AND PARTS THEREFOR OR THE LIKE Filed Sept. 14, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 99 f INVENTORS 1 96 I JOHN 5. CASE 4? 94 I 8892 92 86 47 Y JAMES E. BELCHERJR 86 J 4 4 THEIR ATTORNEYS April 19, 1966 J. 5. CASE ETAL 3,246,879

RAILING CONSTRUCTIONS AND PARTS THEREFOR OR THE LIKE Filed Sept. 14. 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 JOHN 5. CASE JAMES E. BELCHERJR.

THEIR ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,246,879 RAILING CONS'IRUCTIONS AND PARTS THEREFOR OR THE LIKE John S. Case, Towson, Md, and James E. B'elcher, Jr., Henrico County, Va; said Case assignor to Anchor Post Products, Incorporated, Baltimore, Md., a corporation of New Jersey, and said Belcher ,assiguor to Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va., 2 corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 14, 1962, Ser. No. 223,725 8 Claims. (Cl. 256-24) This invention relates to improved railing constructions and to improved parts for such railing constructions or the like.

Heretofore, railing constructions or the like have been formed of complicated structures and assembled and fabricated by complicated procedures whereby an attractive versatile railing construction was difficult to achieve.

However, by following the teachings of this invention, an improved, attractive and versatile railing construction can be provided by utilizing the improved parts of this invention.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved railing construction having one or more of the novel features set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved parts for such a railing construction or the like.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading of this description which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings "forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary, perspective, schematic view illustrating one embodiment of the railing construction of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary view illustrating the method of forming one of the parts of the railing construction of FIGURE 1.

FIGURES 3-6 are views similar to FIGURE 2 and respectively illustrate the methods of forming other parts of the railing construction of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line 77 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view illustrating one of the fastening members utilized in the construction of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line 9-9 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the fastening member illustrated in FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged, partial, cross-sectional view taken on line 11-11 of FIGURE 1 with the capping member thereof removed.

FIGURE 12 is a view similar to FIGURE 11 and illustrates another embodiment of this invention.

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken on line 13-13 of FIGURE 1 with the capping members removed.

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line 14-14 of FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 15 is a side view of one of the panel means utilized with the railing construction of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 1-6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line 1616 of FIGURE 1 with the capping member removed.

FIGURE 17 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line 17-17 of FIGURE 1 with the handrail thereof removed.

FIGURE 18 is an end view illustrating the capping member of FIGURE secured to the extrusion of FIG- URE 4.

FIGURE 19 is a view similar to FIGURE 18 illustrating the capping member of FIGURE 5 secured to the extrusion of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 20 is a view similar to FIGURE 13 and illustrates another embodiment of this invention.

FIGURE 21 is a front view of a pre assembled panel section for forming the railing construction of FIGURE 1.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter described and illustrated as being particularly adaptable for forming a railing construction or the like, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide other constructions as desired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, an improved railing construction of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 30 and comprises a plurality of substantially vertically extending posts 31, the posts 31 being vertically supported by having the lower ends imbedded in a foundation structure A.

If desired, the posts 31 can form the terminal portions of the railing construction 30 or one or both of the ends of the railing construction 30 can be interconnected to vertically extending structure 31, the vertically extending structure 31 illustrated in FIGURE 1 being indicated by the same reference numeral as the posts 31 as thesame provides the same function as will be apparent hereinafter.

An upper framing member 32 and a lower framing member 33 respectively extend between adjacent posts or vertical structures 31 and are secured thereto in a manner hereinafter described, the upper and lower framing members 32 and 33 having inwardly facing channels for a purpose hereinafter described.

A pair of upright framing members 34 extend between each pair of upper and lower framing members 32 and 33 in spaced relation relative to the posts or vertical structure 31, the upright framing members 34 also having inwardly facing channels.

In this manner each set of framing members 32, 33 and 34 define a substantially rectangular area receiving a panel means 35 having the edges thereof respectively received in the inwardly facing channels of the framing members 32, 33 and 34, the panel means 35 being secured to the framing members 32, 33 and 34 in a manner hereinafter described.

The unobstructed channels in the framing members 32, 33 and 34 are subsequently closed by capping members 36 of this invention in a manner hereinafter described to hide various fastening means and provide an attractive structure.

A suitable handrail or the like 37 is secured to the upper framing members 32 in a manner hereinafter described to complete the railing construction 30 of this invention.

Not only is the completed railing construction 30 attractive in design, strong, and long lasting, but also the railing construction 30 is relatively simple to manufacture and assemble in a manner to be described whereby the railing constructions 30 of this invention are relatively inexpensive.

Further, while the railing construction 30 illustrated in FIGURE 1 has a particular configuration, it is to be understood that this invention is not-to be limited to such configuration because the various parts of this invention can be arranged in many difierent patterns to provide railing constructions having any desired configuration.

While the posts 31, framing members 32, 33 and 34, capping members 36 and handrails 37 can be formed 3 in any suitable manner and of any suitable material, the embodiments thereof illustrated in the drawings are formed by extruding metallic material, such as an aluminum containing metallic material, in a manner conventional in the art whereby the costs of making such parts are held to a minimum.

In particular, reference is made to FIGURE 2 wherein a suitable length of handrail stock 37 is extruded by a conventional extruding apparatus 38.

As illustrated in FIGURE 2, the handrail stock 37 has a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional configuration defined by an upper cross member 39 having a pair of depending legs 40 extending from the opposed ends thereof, the legs 40 each having a free end 41 thereof turned inwardly toward the free end 41 of the other leg 40.

The corners of the handrail stock 37 are gently curved to prevent sharp edges which tend to be hazardous when subsequently utilized as a grasping means for the railing construction 30.

Each leg 40 of the handrail stock 37 has an inwardly directed, flat, securing flange 42 disposed intermediate the opposed ends of the respective leg 40 and being disposed in the same plane of the flange 42 of the other leg 40, the flanges 42 extending inwardly towardeach other ,a greater distance than the turned ends 41 of the legs 40 for a purpose hereinafter described.

As illustrated in FIGURE 3, the upper framing member stock 32 may be extruded by a conventional extruding apparatus 43 in a manner well known in the art and comprises an upper flat web 44 having a pair of longitudinal legs 46 extending from the under side 45 of the flat web 44 and inboard of the ends thereof to define an inwardly facing channel 47 therebetween.

The undersurface 45 of the flat web 44 of the upper framing member stock 32 is interrupted by a pair of grooves 45 disposed outboard of the longitudinal legs 46 and being utilized for fastening member locating means in a manner hereinafter described.

The free ends 48 of the legs 46 of the upper framing member stock 32 are inwardly enlarged to provide added strength to the legs 46 and respectively have longitudinally disposed grooves 49 formed therein, the grooves 49 having V-shaped cross-sectional configurations and facing each other.

The free ends 48 of the legs 46 of the upper framing member stock 32 have beveled surfaces 50 respectively facing each other for a purpose hereinafter described.

The outboard surfaces 51 of the legs 46 of the upper framing member stock 32 are longitudinally serrated at 52 for a purpose hereinafter described.

As illustrated in FIGURE 4, the lower framing member stock 33 may be extruded by a conventional extruding apparatus 53, the extruded stock 33 having substantially the same cross-sectional configuration as the upright framing member stock 34 except that the upright framing members 34 are narrower than the lower framing members 33 as will be apparent hereinafter.

Therefore, the following description which relates to the lower framing member stock 33 also applies to the upright framing member stock 34.

The lower framing member stock 33 has a substantially H-shaped cross-sectional configuration defined by a pair of flanges 54 interconnected together intermediate the opposed ends thereof by an intermediate web 55.

The intermediate web 55 of the lower framing member stock 33 is offset toward one of the ends of the flanges 54 whereby the intermediate web 55 cooperates with the flanges 54 to define a large inwardly facing channel 47 and a smaller outwardly facing channel 47 as will be apparent hereinafter.

The outboard surfaces 56 of the flanges 54 of the lower framing member stock 33 are longitudinally serrated at 57 for a purpose hereinafter described.

Each flange 54 of the lower framing member stock 33 has a pair of longitudinally disposed grooves 58 formed inboard of the opposed ends 59 and 60 thereof for a purpose hereinafter described, the grooves 58 in each flange 54 facing similar grooves 58 in the other flange 54 and respectively having V-shaped cross-sectional configurations.

The opposed ends 59 and 60 of each flange 54 of the lower framing member stock 33 are provided with beveled surfaces 61 which respectively face the beveled surfaces 61 of the other flange 54 for a purpose hereinafter described.

As illustrated in FIGURE 5, the capping member stock 36 may be extruded by a conventional extruding apparatus 62 .in a manner well known in the art, the capping member stock 36 comprising a flat web 63 having a pair of flanges 64 secured to the side 65 thereof and inboard of the opposed ends of the flat web 63.

'Each flange 64 of the capping member stock 36 has an outwardly directed, substantially V-shaped enlargement 66 at the free end 67 thereof, the leading surface 68 of each enlargement 66 being continued to the free end 67. The free end 67 of the surface 68 is disposed inboard of the trailing surface 69 relative to the inboard surface of the flange 64 for the purpose hereinafter described.

The outer surface 70 of the flat web 63 of the capping member stock 36 is longitudinally serrated at 7-1 for a purpose hereinafter described.

As illustrated in FIGURE 6, the post stock 31 is ex.- truded by a conventional extruding apparatus 72 in a manner well known in the art, the post stock 31 being substantially rectangular in cross-sectional configuration and being hollow throughout the length thereof.

When it is desired to form the railing construction 30 of this invention from the parts illustrated in FIGURES 26, the post stock 31 is cut into the desired lengths to form the individual posts 31 illustrated in FIGURE 1, the posts 31 having opposed surfaces 73 and 74 thereof suitably apertured at 75 in the desired positions to interconnect the upper and lower framing members 32 and 33 thereto in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 9.

In particular, after the apertures 75 have been formed in a respective post 31, the post 31 can be imbedded in the foundation structure A whereby the post 31 is substantially vertically supported by the foundation strucmm A.

However, it is to be understood that the posts 31 could be vertically supported in any other suitable manner, as desired, and that the apertures 75 could be formed after the posts 31 have been vertically supported.

After the posts 31 have been vertically supported the desired distance apart, the upper and lower vframing members 32 and 33 of pre-assernbled panel sections B, FIG- URE 21, are fit between adjacent posts or vertical struc- .ture 31 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1.

For example, the sub-assemblies B of the inter-connected framing members 32, 33 and 34 and panels 35 can be pre-assembled at the factory in a manner hereinafter described and be subsequently secured to the posts or vertical structures 31 in a field operation.

Alternately, the entire railing construction 30 can be assembled together in the field, if desired.

As illustrated in FIGURE 7, the upper framing members 32 of the pre-assern-bled panel sections B have the ends thereof placed in abutting relation with the sides 73 and 74 of the post 31 whereby the flat webs 44 of the upper framing members 32 can be interconnected to the sides 73 and 74 of the post 31. 1

In particular, fastening members 76, FIGURE 8, are utilized to attach the upper framing members 32 to the post 31, the fastening members 76 each comprising an members 32, 33 and 34 are already secured together in the above manner.

However, should the panel means 35 be a substantially rigid structure so that the same could not be flexed sufliciently to telescope the edges thereof into the channels 47 of the erected framing members 32, 33 and 34, the subassemblies B could be fabricated in the above manner without interconnecting the upper framing members 32 in place until after the panel means 35 have been vertically inserted into the channels 47 of the erected upright framing members 34 and lower framing members 33.

Alternately, the panel means 35 and framing members 32, 33 and 34 can be assembled together in unison whereby the panel means 35 would be disposed in the channels 47 before the upright framing members 34 are secured to the upper and lower framing members 32 and 33 by the I-bolts 104.

After the edges of the panel means 35 have been telescoped into the inwardly facing channels 47 of the framing members 32, 33 and 34,. the panel means 35 are adapted to be secured in place and be. placed under tension in a manner now to be described. The intermediate webs 55 of the upright framing members 34 and the intermediate webs 55 of the lower framing members 33 are respectively provided with suitably spaced apertures 111 in the manner illustrated in FIG- URE 16 whereby a hook-like member 112 is adapted to pass through the aperture 111 and have a nut 113 disposed on the threaded end 114 thereof so that the hooked portion 115 of the hook-like member 112 can be drawn toward the intermediate web- 55 upon tightening of the nut 113.

Similarly, such hook-like memlbers 112 are carried by the flat web 44 of the upper framing members 32, the hook-like members 112 passing through suitably aligned apertures 116 formed therein.

The hook-like members 112 carried by the framing members 32, 3'3 and 34 are adapted to hook around the rods 110 of the panel means 35 so that upon tightening of the nuts 112 of the hook-like members 112, the mesh structure 109 can be placed under tension so that the panel means 35 will provide a substantially rigid structure and complete the pre-assembled panel section B to be subsequently secured to adjacent vertical structures 31 in the manner previously described.

As illustrated in the drawings, it can be seen that the peripheral edges of the panel means 35 are received in the inwardly facing channels 47 of the framing members 32, 33 and 34 and are respectively interconnected thereto by the hook-like members 112.

However, it is to be understood that other panel means 35 can be utilized without having the same formed of the wire mesh structure 109. For example, the panel means 35 can provide a solid sheet of material, the important feature being that the edges of the panel means 35 are telescopically received in the inwardly facing channels 47 of the framing members 32, 33 and 34 sothat any means securing the panel means 35 to the framing members 32, 33 and 34 are hidden in the channels 47 thereof to provide an attractive design.

After the panel means 35 have been secured in place in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1, the unobstructed portions of the channels 47 of the framing members 32, 33 and 34 of the railing construction 30 can be closed by the suitably cut capping members 36 of this invention.

In particular, reference is made to FIGURES 18 and 19 of this invention whereby it can be seen that the capping members 36 are respectively adapted to be interconnected to the framing members 32, 33- and 34 to cover the unobstructive channels 47 thereof.

The capping members 36 are so constructed relative to the framing members 32, 33 and 34 that the legs or webs 64 of the capping members 36 are adapted to be pressfitted between the legs 46 and flanges 54 of the framing members 32, 33 and 34 and have the flat webs 63 thereof c 8 abut the free ends of the legs 46 and flanges 54 of the framing members 32, 33 and 34 to completely close the unobstructed portions of the channels 47.

As the legs 64 of a capping member are about to be telescopically received in the unobstructed channels 47 of framing members 33 and 34', the leading surfaces 68 of the enlargements 66 of the legs 64 of the capping member 36 are adapted to be cammed inwardly by the beveled surfaces 61 of the flanges 54 of the framing. member 33 or 34 to facilitate the ease of insertion of the legs 64 of the capping member 36 between the flanges 54 of the framing member 33 or 34'.

As the legs 64 of the capping, members 36 are inserted into the channels 47 of the framing members 33 and 34, the enlargements 66 of the capping members 36 are eventually snapped outwardly into the slots 58 of the framing members 33 and 34 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 18 whereby the capping members 36 are held in place and the flat webs 63' thereof abut against the free ends of the flanges 54-.

Since the free ends 67 of the leading surfaces 68 of the enlargements 66 of the capping members 36 are disposed inboard of the trailing surfaces 69 relative to the inboard surfaces of the legs 64, it is more diflioult to remove the capping members 36 from the framing members 32, 33 and 34 than it is to insert the capping members 36 therein.

Similarly, the capping members 36 are adapted to be disposed in the unobstructed portions of the channels 47 of the upper framing members 32 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 19- and in substantially the same manner previously described.

If desired, the downwardly facing channels 47 of the lower framing members 33 could be closed by such capping members 36, if desired.

However, since the lower framing members 33 are normally disposed closely adjacent the supporting structure A, the downwardly facing and unobstructed channels 47 of the lower framing members 33 need not be covered by the capping members 36 because it would be relatively difficult to viewthe bottom of the lower framing members" 33.

When the capping members 36 are disposed in place in the above manner, it can be seen that all of the fastening structures of this invention are completely closed from view whereby an attractive and ornamental railing construction 30 is provided by this invention.

Further, the capping members 36 can be inserted in any unobstructed objectionable voids in the channels 47 of the framing members 32', 33 and 34 or be utilized as intermittent spacers when pickets or spaced panels are utilized.

As a completely optional feature, the majority of the exposed surfaces of the framing members 32, 33 and 34 and the capping members 36 may be provided with serrated surfaces, or other suitable surface finishes, so that finger prints and the like are substantially eliminated even though the parts are continually being handled during the assembly thereof and, thereafter, during the use of the rail-ing construction 30 whereby the railing construction 30 will not be readily marked or marred.

Either before the capping members 36 are disposed in place, or thereafter, the handrail members 37 are adapted to be secured to the upper framing members 32 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 11.

In particular, the flat webs 44 of the upper framing members 32 are adapted to be provided with suitable bores 117 along the slots 45 thereof so that a plurality of threaded fastening members 118 can pass through the bores 117 and be threadedly received in bores 119 formed in the inwardly expanding flanges 42 of the handrail members 37 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 11 to firmly secure the handrail members 37 to the upper framing members 32 whereby the handrail members 37 In particular, the fastening members 76 are adapted to have legs 78 thereof disposed against the flat webs 44 of the upper framing members 32 while the legs 77 thereof are adapted to be disposed against the sides 73 and 74 of the post 31.

Thereafter, suitable bolts 81 can pass through the slots 79 in the fastening members 76 and through the apertures 75 in the post 31 whereby suitable nuts 82 can be threaded-ly disposed on the threaded shank portion 83 of the bolts 81 to draw the heads 84 of the bolts 8'1 and suitable washers 85 against the outer surface of the legs 77 of the fastening member 76 to interconnect the fastening member 76 to the post 31. i

The other legs 78 of the fastening members 76 can be secured to the flat webs 44 of the upper framing members 32 by having bolts 86 passing through the slots 80 of the fastening members 76 and through suitable apertures 87 formed in the flat Webs 44 of the upper framing members 32 so that suitable nuts 88 can be threadedly disposed on the bolts 86 and draw the legs 78 of the fastening members 76 against the under surface of the flat webs 44 of the upper framing members 32 by the enlarged heads 89 of the bolts 86.

At least the unthreaded shank portions of the bolts 86 have a square cross-sectional configuration whereby the same complement the rectangular slots 80 in the fastening members 78 to .prevent turning of the bolts 86as the nuts 88 are tightened.

When it is desired to secure an end of an upper framing member 32 to vertically extending structure 31 other than a post 31 as illustrated at the left in FIGURE 1, the fastening member 76 can be utilized in the same manner previously described except that the leg 77, thereof can be secured to the vertical structure 31 by an anchor bolt or the like.

Therefore, it can be seen that the upper framing members 32 can be readily secured between the posts or vertical structure 31 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 7.

The lower framing members 33 of each pre-assembled panel section B are also cut to the desired length to fit between adjacent posts or vertical structure 31 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 9, the lower framing members 33 being disposed with the larger channel 47 thereof facing upwardlyas illustrated in FIGURE 9.

The inter-mediate webs 55 of the lower framing members 33 are secured to the sides 73 and 74 of the post 31 in any suitable manner.

In particular, reference is made to FIGURE 9 wherein fastening members 90 are utilized, each fastening member 90 being illustrated in FIGURE and comprising an L-shaped member having integrally interconnected legs posed against the sides 73 and 74 of the post 31 and are secured thereto by bolt-like members 95.

The bolt-like members 95 are substantially L-shaped 'and defined by an unthreaded leg 96 integrally interconnected to a threaded leg 97 disposed at right angles relative thereto, the unthreaded leg 96 being adapted to be passed through the aperture '75 in one of the sides 73 or 74 of the respective post 31 in the position illustrated in FIGURE 9 with the threaded portion 97 of the boltlike member 95 passing through the slot 93 in the leg 91 of the fastening member 90 whereby a suitable nut 98 and washer 99 can be disposed over the threaded portion 97 and sandwich the leg 91 of the fastening member 90 and side 73 or 74 of the post 31 between the leg 96 of the bolt-like member 95 and the nut 98 upon tightening of the nut 98.

The legs 92 of the fastening members 90 are adapted to be secured to the intermediate webs 55 of the lower 6 framing members 33 by bolts 86 in a manner similar to the bolt 86 illustrated in FIGURE 7 and previously described.

When it is desired to secure an end of a lower framing member 33 to vertically extending structure 31 other than a post 31 as illustrated at the left in FIGURE 1, the fastening member can be utilized in the same manner previously described except that the leg 91 thereof can be secured to the vertical structure 31 by an anchor bolt or the like.

Therefore, it can be seen that the lower framing members 33 are adapted to be readily secured to the posts or vertical structure 31 in a relatively simple and rapid manner.

When it is desired to form the individual, preassembled panel sections B illustrated in FIGURE 21 to be subsequently secured between adjacent vertical structures 31, the upper and lower framing members 32 and 33 are cut to the desired lengths and the upright framing members 34 are cut to the desired length and secured to the framing members 32 and 33 in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 13 and 14.

In particular, the framing members 34 are so constructed and arranged that the opposed ends 100 and 101 thereof are adapted to be respectively telescopically received in the inwardly facing channels 47 of the upper and lower framing members 32 and 33 so that the opposed ends 100 and 101 of each upright framing member 34 respectively abuts the flat webs 44 and 55 of the upper and lower framing members 32 and 33 at desired positions spaced inwardly from the free ends of the upper and lower framing members 32 and 33.

Before the upright framing members 34 are disposed in the position illustrated in FIGURE 13, the intermediate webs 55 thereof are suitably apertured at 102 adjacent the ends 100 and 101 thereof so that the apertures 102 are adapted to respectively receive the curved ends 103 of .T-bolts 104 respectively passing through suitable apertures 105 and 106 formed in the fiat webs 44 and 55 of the upper and lower framing members 32 and 33.

The J-bolts 104 each have a threaded end 107 which is adapted to receive a nut 108 whereby each J-bolt 104 is adapted to be pulled outwardly relative to the upright framing member 34 upon tightening of the nut 108 to cause the hooked or curved end 103 thereof to grasp against the edge of the aperture 102 in the upright framing member 34 to positively hold the upright framing member 34 in the proper position thereof.

Each J-bolt 104 is disposed closely adjacent the intermediate web 55 of the respective upright framing member 34 on the side thereof facing the adjacent upright framing member 34 whereby the J-bolts 104 not only secure the upright framing members 34 to the upper and lower framing members 32 and 33, but also the J-bolts 104 function to limit inward movement of the upright framing members 34 when the panels 35 are secured thereto and subsequently placed under tension.

When each of the panel means 35, to be utilized in forming the railing construction 30, is formed from a flexible, wire mesh structure 109 illustrated in FIGURE 15, the mesh structure 109 is respectively secured to rods 110 disposed at each side of the mesh structure 109, the rods 110 not being interconnected together so that the rods 110 can be pulled outwardly, to place the mesh structure 109 under tension in a manner hereinafter to be described.

Each panel means 35 has a dimension slightly larger than the area subsequently defined by each set of secured framing members 32, 33 and 34 whereby the edges of the panel means 35 are respectively disposed in the inwardly facing channels 47 of the framing members 32, 33 and 34, the panel means 35 being inserted in the channels 47 by suitably flexing the panel means 35 to telescopically dispose the edges of the panel means 35 in the channels 47 of the framing members 32, 33 and 34 if the framing cover the fastening means carried by the upper framing members 32.

- While the handrail members 37 have been illustrated as being interconnected to the upper framing members 32 by threaded fastening members 118 in FIGURE 11, it is to be understood that the handrail members 37 can be secured to the upper framing members 32 in any other suitable manner.

For example, reference is made to FIGURE 12 wherein the handrail members 37 are secured to the fiat Webs 44 of the upper framing members 32 by suitable rivets 120 that can be entered and driven from one side. It will be appreciated that any suitable fastening means may be used.

While the railing construction 30 of this invention has been illustrated and described as having the upright framing members 34 adapted to be telescopically received in the upper and lower framing members 32 and 33, it is to be understood that the upright framing members 34 could be cut from the same stock as the lower framing members 33 to provide another railing construction of this invention.

In particular, reference is made to FIGURE 20 wherein another railing construction of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 30a and parts thereof similar to the railing construction 30 are indicated by like reference numerals followed the reference letter a.

As illustrated in FIGURE 20, the upright framing members 34a are cutfrom the same stock as the lower framing members 33a, whereby the upright framing members 34a are each adapted to have the opposed free ends of the transverse webs 54a thereof abut the free ends of the transverse webs 46a and 54a of the upper and lower framing members 32a and 33a and be secured thereto in any suitable manner.

For example, the upright framing members 34a can be secured to the upper and lower framing members 32a and 33a by welding at 121, as illustrated in FIG- URE 20.

Therefore, it can be seen that the entire railing constructions of this invention can be formed from a relatively few parts in a relatively simple and rapid manner to provide sturdy, long lasting and attractive railing constructions having many uses.

Further, the parts for forming the railing constructions of this invention can be made in a relatively simple and rapid manner by simple extrusion procedures.

While various terms such as vertical and horizontalfare herein utilized, it is to be understood that such terms are not structural limitations of this invention, but are merely utilized for convenience of description for the particular position of the structure illustrated in the drawings.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed as required by the statutes, other forms may be used, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. A railing construction comprising a plurality of substantially vertical support means, a first plurality of spaced upper and lower substantially horizontal framing members extending between said support means and being secured to said support means, a second plurality of substantially vertical framing members angularly disposed with respect to said spaced framing members and being secured to said spaced framing members, said upper framing members each being defined by a cross member having a pair of spaced legs depending therefrom inboard of the outer edges of said cross member and said vertical framing members and said lower framing members each having an H-shaped cross-sectional configuration defined by a cross member interconnected to medial portions of a pair of spaced legs whereby all of said framing members each has an inwardly facing channel defining multi-sided areas, hand rail means being secured to said upper framing members, and a plurality of panel means respectively disposed in said areas and having edges respectively received in said channels of said framing members and being secured to said cross members of said framing members.

I 2. A railing construction comprising apair of substantially vertical support means, a. first pair of spaced upperand lower substantially horizontalframing members extending between said support means and being secured to said support means, a second pair of substantially vertical framing members extending between said first pair of spaced framing members, said second pair of framing members being secured to said first pair of framing members, said upper framing member being defined by a cross member having a pair of spaced legs depending therefrom inboard of the outer edges of said cross member and said vertical framing members and said lower framing members each having an H-shaped cross sectional configuration defined by a cross member interconnected to medial portions of a pair of spaced legs whereby all of said framing members each define an inwardly facing channel with said channels defining a multi-sided area, and a panel means disposed in said area and having edges respectively received in said channels of said framing members and being secured to said cross members of said framing members.

3. A railing construction comprising a pair of substantially vertically supported posts, a pair of upper and lower framing members extending between said posts and being secured to said support posts, said upper and lower framing members having inwardly facing channels, a pair of upright framing member-s disposed between the ends of said posts and having opposed ends respectively received in said channels of said upper and lower framing members and being secured to said upper and lower framing members, said upright framing members having inwardly facing channels whereby said channels of said framing members define a multi-sided area, said upper framing member being defined by a cross member having a pair of spaced legs depending therefrom inboard of the outer edges of said cross member and said upright framing members and said lower framing member each having H-shaped cross-sectional configuration defined by a cross member interconnected to medial portions of a pair of spaced legs whereby all of said framing members define said inwardly facing channels, and a panel means disposed in said area and having edges respectively received in said channels of said framing members and being secured to said cross members of said framing members.

4. A railing construction comprising a pair of substantially vertical support means, a pair of upper and lower substantially horizontal framing members extending between said support post means and being secured to said support means, said upper and lower framing members having inwardly facing channels and having cross members closing one end of said channels, a pair of upright substantially vertical framing members disposed between the ends of said posts and having opposed ends respectively received in said channels of said upper and lower framing members, said upright framing members having inwardly facing channels and having cross members closing one end of said channels whereby said channels of said framing member-s define a multi-sided area, means interconnecting said cross members of said upper and lower framing members to said cross members of said upright framing members, said upper framing member being defined by said cross member having a pair of spaced legs depending therefrom inboard of the outer edges of said cross member and said upright framing members and said lower framing members each having an H-shaped cross-sectional configuration defined by said cross member interconnected to medial portions of a pair of spaced legs whereby all of said framing members define said inwardly facing channels, and a panel means disposed in said area and having edges respectively received in said channels of said framing members and being secured to said cross members of said framing members. 7

. 5. A, railing construction comprising a pair of substan tially vertically supported posts, a pair of upper and lower framing members extending between said posts and being secured to said posts, said upper and lower framing members having inwardly facing channels, a pair of upright framing members extending between said upper and lower framing members, and being secured to said upper and lowerframing members, said upright framing members each having inwardly and outwardly facing channels whereby said inwardly facing channels of said framing members define a multi-sided area, said upper framing member being defined by a cross member having a pair of spaced legs depending therefrom inboard of the outer edges of said cross member and said upright framing members and said lower framing member each having anH-shaped cross-sectional configuration defined by a cross member interconnected to medial portions of a pair of spaced legs whereby all of said framing members define said inwardly facing channels, a panel means disposed in said area and having edges respectively received in said channels of said framing members and being secured to said cross-members of said framing members, and capping means closing said outwardly facing channels of said upright framing members.

6. A railing construction as set forth in claim wherein capping means close said inwardly facing channels of said upper and lower framing members intermediate said posts and said upright framing members.

7. A railing construction comprising a pair of substantially vertically supported posts, a pair of upper and lower framing members extending between said posts and being secured to said posts, a pair of upright framing members extending between said upper and lower framing members and being secured to said upper and lower framing members, said framing members each having an inwardly facing channel and defining a multi-sided area, said upper framing member being defined by a cross member having a pair of spaced legs depending therefrom inboard of the outer edges of said cross member and said upright framing members and said lower framing member each having an H-shaped cross-sectional configuration defined by a cross member interconnected to medial portions of a pair of spaced legs whereby all of said framing members define said inwardly facing channels, a panel means disposed in said area and having edges respectively received in said channels of said framing members, and means interconnected to said cross members of said framing members and to said panel means to place said panel means under tension.

8. A railing construction comprising a pair of substantially vertically supported posts, a pair of upper and lower framing members extending between said posts and being secured to said posts, a pair of upright framing members extending between said upper and lower framing members and being secured to said upper and lower framing members, said framing members each having an inwardly facing channel and having a cross member closing one end of said channel, said framing members defining a multi-sided area, said upper framing member being defined by said cross member having a pair of spaced legs depending therefrom inboard of the outer edges of said cross member and said upright framing members and said lower framing members each having an H- shaped cr0ss-sectiona1 configuration defined by said cross member being interconnected to medial portions of a pair of spaced legs whereby all of said framing members define said inwardly facing channels, a panel means disposed in said area and having edges respectively received in said channels of said framing members, and means interconnected to said cross members of said framing members and to said panel means to place said panel means under tension.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 11,012 6/1854 Coons 256-21 1,623,873 4/1927 Jackson 256-24 1,738,609 12/ 1929 Pivonski et a1 189-36 2,053,254 9/1936 Fairchild et al 256-21 2,057,018 10/1936 Dillon 256-19 2,576,427 11/1951 Tomb 256-21 2,590,929 4/1952 Bush 256-22 2,654,579 10/1953 Cremens 256- 2,709,073 5/1955 Daugherty 256-24 2,780,440 2/1957 Krieger 256-65 2,808,233 10/1957 Spescha 256-22 2,873,094 2/1959 Blum 256-31 2,904,314 9/ 1959 Thom 256-65 3,034,610 5/1962 Lynch 189-36 3,045,976 7/1962 Nayhouse et a1 256-24 3,075,622 1/1963 Attwood 189-36 FOREIGN PATENTS 550,485 12/1957 Canada.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner. 

2. A RAILING CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING A PAIR OF SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL SUPPORT MEANS, A FIRST PAIR OF SPACED UPPER AND LOWER SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL FRAMING MEMBERS EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID SUPPORT MEANS AND BEING SECURED TO SAID SUPPORT MEANS, A SECOND PAIR OF SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL FRAMING MEMBERS EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID FIRST PAIR OF SPACED FRAMING MEMBERS, SAID SECOND PAIR OF FRAMING MEMBERS BEING SECURED TO SAID FIRST PAIR OF FRAMING MEMBERS, SAID UPPER FRAMING MEMBER BEING DEFINED BY A CROSS MEMBER HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED LEGS DEPENDING THEREFROM INBOARD OF THE OUTER EDGES OF SAID CROSS MEMBER AND SAID VERTICAL FRAMING MEMBERS AND SAID LOWER FRAMING MEMBERS EACH HAVING AN H-SHAPED CROSS SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION DEFINED BY A CROSS MEMBER INTERCONNECTED TO MEDIAL PORTIONS OF A PAIR OF SPACED LEGS WHEREBY ALL OF SAID FRAMING MEMBERS EACH DEFINE AN INWARDLY FACING CHANNEL WITH SAID CHANNELS DEFINING A MULTI-SIDED AREA, AND A PANEL MEANS DISPOSED IN SAID AREA AND HAVING EDGES RESPECTIVELY RECEIVED IN SAID CHANNELS OF SAID FRAMING MEMBERS AND BEING SECURED TO SAID CROSS MEMBERS OF SAID FRAMING MEMBERS. 